The Mission of the Airconditioning, Refrigeration
and Mechanical Contractors Association of Southern California,
Inc. (ARCA/MCA Southern California)
is to exceed the expectations of the Association's member
companies. The Association will provide a link of communication
that will address, advance, and inform the Association membership
of the latest updates on legislation, technology, and issues
pertinent to the Airconditioning, Refrigeration and Mechanical
Contracting Industry. The success of the Association in achieving
this Mission is to be based on integrity and loyalty to its
members. We will strive to be diligent and flexible by supplying
services the membership needs to be competitive in an ever-changing
business environment.

ARCA/MCA Southern California History

On October 16, 1939, the Airconditioning
and Refrigeration Contractors Association of Southern California
(ARCA) was established. The first Executive Director of ARCA
was Henry Ely, a Los Angeles Attorney specializing in the
construction industry. Shortly thereafter, on January 1, 1940,
the first collective bargaining agreement between United Association
Local 508 and ARCA was signed. This Agreement provided for
a work jurisdiction of all aspects of heating, ventilation,
airconditioning, and refrigeration. This scope of work included
all HVACR work: service, remodel, construction, and all other
related type work. Today’s Southern California ARCA
contract with the United Association can be traced back to
this 1940 collective bargaining agreement. Presently, ARCA
has several collective bargaining agreements throughout Southern
California with the United Association. In the late 1970’s,
ARCA became associated with the Mechanical Contractors Association
of America (MCAA and MSCA), hence today’s ARCA/MCA Southern California. During its long history, ARCA has had
three Executives, Henry Ely, James Burge, and the current
Executive Vice President, Richard J. Sawhill.